Mercedes-AMG has, for some time, been formally evaluating a potential near-future entry in the Hypercar and/or GTP classes with an LMDh prototype, RACER understands.
Multiple industry sources have indicated to RACER that the German OEM has been in talks with key suppliers and rule-makers. And while it hasn’t made any formal acknowledgement of a program yet, it would appear that it is taking a serious look at making a return to top-class prototype racing for the first time since 1999.
Mercedes-AMG’s interest comes at a time when Genesis looks certain to confirm programmes in both the WEC and IMSA, and both McLaren (potentially 2027) and Honda (with a WEC Hypercar campaign to add to its current IMSA GTP) continue to hold their places on the prospects list.
Currently, much of the WEC paddock rumor mill continues to circulate around the future of Lamborghini in the FIA WEC’s top class. But the reality is that even if the SC63 programme is withdrawn or placed on sabbatical for 2025, there appear to be several routes by which full-season WEC grids can be maintained in the high 30s.
Part of the solution – if Lamborghini scales back its program – could be a debut for Mercedes-AMG in the FIA WEC’s LMGT3 class as early as next season.
Mercedes-AMG has repeatedly expressed its desire to compete in LMGT3 with the AMG GT3 Evo, but with the WEC grid filled to capacity for 2024 and space in short supply for 2025, it remains on the outside looking in for the moment.
Lamborghini’s looming Hypercar decisions will likely have a direct impact, though. Should it opt to pull its SC63s from the world championship, then there would likely be sufficient space for it to join the grid, which is capped at 40 cars for 2025.
However, time is running out for Mercedes to homologate the AMG GT3 Evo as an LMGT3 car in time to take spaces on the grid, should they become available. It already has customers competing in the ACO sphere, but to this point, it has not needed to homologate the AMG GT3 Evo as an LMGT3 car (with torque sensors and potentially aerodynamic tweaks) to allow customers to compete in either the Asian Le Mans Series or Le Mans Cup. Both those series run with regular GT3 cars.
Everything, therefore, needs to come together fast for it to make its WEC debut in Qatar next year.
Meanwhile, RACER’s approach last week to Mercedes-AMG Motorsport to enquire about a potential top-class programme received no official response.